Railway draft rigging



Jul '7'. 1931-.

J. F. O'CONNOR RAILWAY DRAFT RI'GGING Filed April 9, 1928 2 Shets-Sheet l Invenb July 7, 1931.

J. F. OCQNNOR RAILWAY DRAFT RIGGING Filed April 9, 1 92s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 7, 1931 JOHN F. OCONNOR,OECHICAGQ-ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB 110 W. H. nmnnrno, or onroneo,

tnmors, A conronn'rlon or DELAWARE I RAILWAY DRAFT RIGGING Application filed A pri1:9, 1928. "SeriaLNo. 2683562.

This invention relates {to improvements.

in railway draft :riggings.

One object of the inventi-onis to provide a-railavay draft rigging whiohis adapted 10131186411 connection with-standard spaced draft sills of railway cars,--havi-ng-longer stroke in bu-lf-thanfin draft,-avl1e1=ein high shock absorbing capacity is obtained hyithe employment of friction shock ;absorl)lng means actuated in unison wvlth the coupler inbot-h buil and draft.

Another. object of the, invention is vt proyide-a railway draft rigging of the character indicated, wherein zfriction shook 33bsorbing niea is ,is employed, inoludi-ng a friction element whichgismovable as a unit .anism f including cooperating :fricti-on -elements which are relatively movable where in one of the ;frictlon elementsis movable Twitch the coupler in both buffaand draft and differential action is had.

JA further object of theinvention 1s to provide railway draft rigging including ,a

coupler and frictionshock absorbing zn'ieohanis n :actuated thereby, @Wlll'filll", the coupler shank carries frictionmeansamovable in unison therewith in both bull and draft, and co-operates-w1th friction means including Sr'fiXQfl friction shellandefriction wedge ibloc'lrs, wherein thefrictionsurfaces ofuthe means carried; by the couplershankand. the friction surfaces {of-the shell are disposed ,atan; inclination to each other to provide for differential action.

A more specific object of the-invention is to provide a railway draft-rigging;in01-uding coupler actuated in :both bu lt and draft, a friction sleeve enclosing the couplershanlr and-fixed thereto, a friotion shell to the car underfralne structure and enclosing the friction sleeve, friction wedge blocks interposed between the sleeve wand shell and having interengaging wedge'faces and friction surfaces co-operat ng 1w1th the -sleeve;iand shell :WllelffilllllllQWVBd e blocks by bolts.

are forced into wedging engagement by spring resistance means and certain of-said Wedge blocks are forced inwardly and wedged against the remaining blocks layv inward movement of the coupler during bufling action.

=-0ther and ,further objectsofnny -inve11- .tion will more-clearly appear from-the ,de- .scr ptmn and claims hereinafter'fol lowing.

In the drawings forming a part ofethis specification, Figure 1 is ialongitudinah-ver- .tical, sectional view of a portionof aerai-lway car underfran estructure, showing-nay improved :railavay draft-rigging in connection therewith. FigureQ is a horizontal, \(ili longitudinal, sectional ,view, corresponding substantially tothe line 2-2 of vldligure 1. Figures, .3 :and A are vertical, transverse, sectional views, corresponding respectively to vthelines 3 r3 andfl l-4=. ofFigure 1. .And age F gure 5 .18 ahorizontal, sectional view,.s1m-

ilar; to Figure 2, illustrating a. different embodiment ofitheinvention.

Insaid drawings,.referri-ng-'first to the embodiment of .the invention disclosed Figures 1 to 4, ;inclusi=ve,,10, l0 indicate the ohannelsshaped center or draft :sillsof a-ra-ilway car underfra ne. The draft ;Sills 10;,are of standard des gn andare spaced-thestan'dard ,dlstance apart. The end silhproperaof 589 the car structure is designatedbyll,and the .lower angle end S1ll 1S designated by .12.

The end sill members; 11- ;and v 12 areE dined, to

.the draft sills 10 in any suitable manner.

The coupler of the car is designatedby b3 5 and has the shank thereof disposed between the draft sills. carry iron ildlis suitably :secured to the lower flange sections of the draft sills and, as illustrated, is fixedthereto in carrying out my -i-n-vention,,-Lprovide the draft sills with stop castings 15, 16,-and 17, the stop-castin-gslG being disposed intermediate the castings 15 and 17,-,as--n 1ost clearly shown in Fig-urea. The casting-15 iso'f greater length .thanthe casting *16 and presents abutment faces at the opposite-ends thereof for -,a;,p,urp.ose hereinafter described.

The casting 16 also presents; frontaandrear zahutmcnt-faceaand thecastrng 17 presents mt a front abutment face which acts as one of the rear stop members of the railway draft rigging. As shown, the shank of the coupler 13 is provided with the usual key-receiving slot 18, through which the key 19 extends.

The shock absorbing means of my improved railway draft rigging comprises, broadly, a fixed friction casing or shell A; a friction sleeve B, which is secured to the shank of the coupler; a yoke member C which is anchored to the coupler by means f the key 19; front friction wedge blocks D, rear friction wedge blocks E, and intermediate friction wedge blocks F; spring resistance means comprising a front spring element G and a rear spring element H; and follower members J, K, and L.

The friction shell A is in the form of a relatively heavy rectangular box-like memher, having spaced top and bottom walls 20-20 and spaced side walls 2121. As shown, the top wall is thickened at the forward end thereof, thereby providing an interior limiting shoulder 22 ex'ending tramversely of the shell. he bottom wall is also inwardly thickened at the forward end, thus providing an abutment shoulder corresponding to the shoulder 22 and in alignment therewith, the abutment shoulder on the bottom wall being also designated. by 22. The top and bottom interior wall members present longitudinally disposed friction surfaces 2823 which converge inwardly of the mechanism, as most clearly shown in Figure l. The friction shell is directly supported by the carry iron 14 and is fixed to the draft sills by top and bottom transversely disposed keys 2 12al, which extend through openings in the top and bottom walls of the shell and aligned openings in the vertical webs of the draft sills. 'As will be evident, the friction shell A is thus fixed against longitudinal movement with respect to the car underframe structure. It is also pointed out that the front end section of the shell A forms, in effect, a striking casting which co-operates with the coupler horn to limit the inward movement thereof.

The sleeve B is of substantially rectangular cross section and snugly fits the shank of the coupler 13. As shown, the sleeve B is of substantially the same length as the shank proper of the coupler, having the rear end thereof flush with the butt end of the coupler shank and the front end portion of the top wall thereof abutting the coupler horn. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, the side walls of the sleeve B are cut to correspond to the contour of the coupler shank, which, as disclosed, tapers rearward ly. A slight amount of play is permitted between the coupler shank and the sine walls of the sleeve B, so as to allow for the required lateral movement of the coupler with respect to the draft rigging proper. The

sleeve B is fixed with respect to the coupler by means of the key 19, which has the opposite ends thereof extending through openings 2525 in the side walls of the sleeve. As shown, the key tightly fits the openings 25 so that there is no relative movement between the sleeve and the coupler. The top and bottom walls of the sleeve have the rear section thereof cut away, as most clearly shown in Figure 1, thereby providing longitudinally disposed top and bottom friction surfaces 2626 which are offset inwardly with respect to the top and bottom surfaces of the forward portion of the sleeve B. The cut away portions of the top and bottom wall sections of the sleeve also provide transverse abutment shoulders 2727 at the front ends of the friction surfaces for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The friction surfaces 2626 preferably diverge inwardly of the mechanism, as shown in Figure 1, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The yoke member C is horizontally disposed and is of U-shape, having longitudinally disposed side members 2828 and a transverse inner end member 29. The coupler is connected to the yoke by means of the key 19, which works in slots 3030 provided in the side members 28 of the yoke. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slots 30 are of such a length as to permit considerable inward movement of the coupler and sleeve B with respect to the yoke before the key 19 comes in engagement with the inner end walls of the slots.

The front end abutment faces of the stop castings 15 engage the inner end of the friction shell and serve as an additional means for holding the shell fixed, especially when the railway draft rigging is subjected to a bufling action. Further means is also provided for opposing inward movement of the friction shell A, comprising laterally 'outwardly extending flange sections at the forward end portions of the side walls which overhang the vertical web sections of the draft sills 10.

As shown, the friction wedge blocks D, E, and F are arranged in two sets above and below the sleeve B and are interposed between the sleeve and the interior friction surfaces on the top and bottom walls of the shell A. Each set of friction wedge blocks are so arranged that two blocks of the set have frictional engagement with the corresponding friction surface of the sleeve B and the remaining block has frictional engagement with the corresponding friction surface of the shell A. The friction wedge end face which normally abuts the corresponding limiting stop face 22 of the casing -A andthe abutment =face 27 onzthe corresponding Wall of the sleeve B. @n the inner side, the 1 Wedge block *D 1 is provided Withiza fiat friction surface which engages the-ifriction surface 26 at 'the-same side of the sleeve B. At the inner endpthe block fl) is provided Witlra W-e'dge face 31 which coeoper- :ates with a wedge face '32 :at 1 the forward end of the friction wed-ge block F. flhewrear or inner friction block E- of each setispromided with :a flat rear end tace Which-cooperates directly with the folloWerlJ. On the innerside, the block'E- is providedixvith a longitudinally disposed friction surtace -Whic'h co-operates with the corresponding friction snrface' 26 of theasleeveB. vsrtiith-e :with the corresponding interior friction sur- :face 28-of the shell A.

alhespring resistance elements G .aredisposed- Within the "yoke C, each element comprising an innerarelatively light :coil and :an outerwheavier coil. The spring resistance H, as shoxv -n, is shonter than xthe-spring:resistance G .and has the rear end thereof-bearing: on the follower L, -Wlll6l1 lSfilIQtQ/FPOSGCl between the same: andithe-end asection' 29: of theyolre Q. As shown, the follower Lis -e f substantially lti shape, havingttop rand boti-t-om arms WlMOh overhang the side members :of the yoke and CG-ROPQFEttB XVith :the rear stop shoulders of thexstopcastings1'7. The

: f-ollower K,*-wl1ich :is of similar design to the rfollowerzL, is interposed between; the spring resistance 7 elements G: and H, and normally (bears directly onthe rear stop shou-liders of the stop castings 1-5. The Efront. endsozf the spring -resistance G Fbears fldirectly on the espring follower J, which. isinrthe form ofa ti -shaped member-having forwardly-extending spaced top and.bottomianms 36+36, :WlI'IlCh'GIDbESUCBthB rear endxportion .ofi-the sleeve B. :Asshown, the arms 36 arespaeed apart sucha distance: as to permit awcertain amount of clearancebetween-the sleevc1 B and the same, :so that. no resistance is offered toithe-moveanentnof the follower J. The

front ends of thearms: 36 beardirectlyuen thednner-zen'ds of the Wedge friction ihlocks E of the -topaand bottom sets. AVhent-he mechanism islassembled, thespring resist- ;ance elements GandHare preferably placed under initial compression so that the wedge :blocksE Will be urged forwardly. c

The yoke and the springs carried-there- Within are supported: by: v saddilez plate anembers:3f737, which are SBOliEfiditOithQ respective fidraft :sills. The; saddle plate: members 3.7, ;a-s shown in Figure :24, "have horizontal side sectionsmvhich directly support the side members 128: ofthe .yoke .andzan intermediate, depressed, our-wed section which serves to sirpportithe :onter :coiLof: the ecorresponding springrresistance element.

The rnormal position 1 of" the a parts sof :at-he mechanism is shown ;,in Figures vl andrZ,

wherein the coupler keylfi) zis inwengagement airith theifrontend Walls of the slots 3030f the aside members or the 'a-yoke, the wedge .blocksEDn-re in abutment with the shoulders 2210f the friction.shelliAiandthe shoulders 27 of ithe sleeve By-the follower K is in engagement with :the stop shoulders 1 at I the inner IBI-lGlSmOif the castings 115, :and thenfolloWer IL is win ven'gagenient itvith the stop shoulders of the castingssl'f. Uponreferonce to? Figure :2, its-Willlbe seen: that inward movement Qfthe couplernandithe sleeve B, with respect to the yoke, is permitted (for the :full length of travel of itihe vkey 319 13in -the-slots'30,: and inward movement lof t'he iiol lower Kvisz/peranitted toxthe; extent of the spacing. between:the'i fo'llower and the: front stop sheutdersaofithe castings 16. iForWa-rd movement "of the follower L is permitted totthe extent of the"spacingibetween .thezfollower .andithe rear StOPwSllOXlldGl'S ofrthe castings 16.

The :operation IiOf a my improved railway draft rigging, as illustrated in the embodiment. iof the invention disclosed in Eiguresl to 4:, tnciliusive, isasn'follows, vassuming a pulling :or draft vaetion :is i being applied to the ;.coupler 13. Upon rforward:movement ofs'the. coupler l3,=the:yoke.C--Will be pulled :forwandly in unisoni therexvith throu gh i the medium ofzv the connectingl'key 19,-thereby :compressing the spring resistance H between the-follower L and 1 the follower K. :Inasmuchias the sleeve B is ifixed'ly secured to the :CQIlPlQI'J SllZLHk, the same is I carried out- Wandly in unison therewith. niction is :thus :created ij-between the friction surfaces of the sleeve 5B and g-the friction Wedge zblocksD; and E. tThe friction Wedge'blocks D1firlld E areiheld. in tight'frictional contact with i the sleeve B by the expansive action ,0 fthe spring resistance G,avhich, as hereinbeforepointed :out, is under initial compression.

"Through the expansive action of the spring G, the wedge blocks E are wedged against thebloeks F and the latter against the blocksl) which are prevented from outwvar'd ,movement by engagement witlrthe stop shOu lders'QQ on 'the shell A. =The f-ric- B, a differential action will be effected, thereby causing an elongation of each set of friction wedge elements, forcing the rear wedge elements E inwardly of the mechanism and compressing the spring resistance G against the follower K. Due to the differential action produced, the frictional resistance offered .will be greatly augmented. The described action will continue until forward movement of the yoke C is limited by engagement of the follower L with the rear stop shoulders of the castings 16. This movement is preferably limited to correspond to the usual movement permitted in draft in standard railway practice. The parts of the railway draft rigging will be restored to the normal position by the expansive action of the spring resistance elements G and H when the actuating force is reduced in release.

The operation of the improved railway draft rigging during a buffing or inward movement of the coupler is as follows The sleeve '13 being fixed to the coupler shank is forced to move inwardly in unison therewith, thereby forcing the wedge blocks D inwardly also, through the medium of the abutment shoulders 27 on the sleeve. The inward movement of the wedge blocks D will effect a wedging action between these blocks and the blocks F, forcing the latter rearwardly also and outwardly against the friction surfaces of the shell A. Due to the inward movement of the blocks F, the rear wedge blocks E will be forced laterally inwardly against the friction surfaces of the sleeve 13 and also rearwardly of the mechanism, their rearward movement being resisted by the spring element G through the interposed spring follower J. Inasmuch as the follower K is normally spaced from the stop shoulders atthe forward ends of the castings 16, this follower will be forced rearwardly by the spring G compressing the spring resistance H against the follower L which is held stationary by the stop lugs of the castings 17. Both springs will thus be compressed during the inward movement of the coupler and the sleeve B. As the sleeve B is forced inwardly, the friction wedge locks F will slide on the friction surfaces 93 of the'shell A, and due to the inwardly converging relation of these friction surfaces a differential action will be set up, thereby elongating the two sets of friction wedge members and effecting additional compression of the spring resistance elements Grand H. Rearward movement of the follower K will be limited by engagement with the front stop shoulders of the stop castings 16. In case the follower K engages the stop castings 16 before the coupler horn engages the front end of the shell A, the front spring resistance G only will be compressed during the last part of the bufling action. Inward movement of the coupler and sleeve B is positively limited by engagement of the coupler horn with the front end of, the shell A.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the improved railway draft rigging as shown therein, comprises the center or draft sills 110110, the lower angle end sills 112, coupler 113, stop castings 115, 116, and 117, coupler key 119, and yoke member M, which are identical with the corresponding parts indicated by 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, and C, in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive.

The improved mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 also includes a friction shell N, which is fixed to the draft sills 110, a sleeve P secured to the coupler shank of the coupler 113, and front and rear spring elements R and S disposed within the yoke.

The arrangement of the sleeve P is identical with that of the sleeve B, shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and friction wedge blocks similar to the blocks D, E and F are interposed between friction surfaces disposed at the top and bottom of the sleeve B and interior friction surfaces 011 the top and bottom walls of the friction shell N. The friction shellN is secured to the draft sills by means of retaining plates 12412l seated in sockets in the side walls of the friction shell and riveted to the vertical webs of the draft sills 110. In order to reinforce the structure, plates 125125 are disposed on the outer sides of the webs of the draft sills, and the rivets which secure the plates 124 extend through the plates 125. Movement of the shell N inwardly of the mechanism is also opposed by the stop castings 115 which have front end abutment faces engaging the inner ends of the side walls of the friction shell. The side walls also have their front ends turned laterally outwardly to provide flanges which abut the front end portions of the vertical webs of the draft sills 110. The spring resistance elements R and S are dis posed within the yoke and the rear end of the spring resistance S bears on a spring follower T which is identical with the spring follower L of the form of invention hereinbefore described, and bears on the stop shoulders at the front ends of the castings 117. A spring follower U, identical with the spring follower J, is interposed between the front end of the spring resistance R and the innermost wedge blocks of the top and bottom sets. A spring follower V is interposed between the spring resistance elements R and S, and normally bears on the rear sto shoulders of the stop castings 115.

'lhe construction shown in Figure 5 differs mainly from the construction hereinbefore described, in that means is employed for compressing the springs in tandem when a draft action is being applied to the coupler.

In". order: to produceazthisttandem-w action, .I provide:'a pressure transmitting.;: member. W, which hasa bod :'portion of. the tubular: forinxextending t roughtheinner coil ofithe's zirhigresistances and throughopem head i128 bearssdirectlyron theinner end of theispringiresistaaicealt, and there-aiend of the: tubular sectionn of. the". ssure-transmitting. member? W bears" on the transverse end section 1300f the yoke M;

The operation. of? the) embodiment of the invention illustrated: in Figure .5 is substantially thessameeas that of the embodiment h'fereinbefore described, duringa bufiingv actiom. Itxwill' beevident thatithev springs R andS' arenesiinultaneously compressed during but f due'. tmthe' freemovement of the followerV- betweenatherstop. castings 115 and 116.

Duringa=drafti action, thesyokeM will be pulled. forwardly 'inca manner similar to the operation: ofi the yoke G, hereinbefore clescri'bed; rthereby causing. forward movement offthea follower: T. The-spring. S will'thus be compressed; between-the follower T and thesfol lower Inasmuch as theend sectio1i1130x of'theyoke Mbea-rsndirectly on the inner end of. the:pressure transmitting tubulap-member: W, the latter. will i be forced forwardly in unison. with theyoke-M, thereby compressingithe ispring resistance It between the: head 128vof the pressure -transmitting member: and-the-foll ower U, thusexerting additionali pressure-on. thefriction wedge members oftheitop and bottomsets. It will be-evident'ithat-the springs-R- and S of the device are'thus compressed :in tandem during draft action,- andare: compressed simultaneously in the manner. of a. single spring inibuff.

WhileI- have'hereinlshown and described what. I. consider the preferred manner of carrying outl my; invention-,=. the same is merely illustrative and I: contemplate all changes:- and modifications.- which come within: the scope: of: theclaims appended hereto.

I- claim:

1;.In arailway draftrigging, the combination with-friction meanssfixed to the car under-frame struetureiand. extending lengthwiseoftherig ing; of-ia-zcoupler actuated in buffand! draft; friction means movable lengthwise oflthe rigging in unison withthe coupler; wedge frictionw means interposed .between said fixefdi'and-movable means, said wedge friction means-including. a plurality of. wedge bloekshaving-2 wedging engagementtwitheach other.and frictional engagement with the fixed and movable friction means; and spring resistance means oppos-' ingemovement of said wedge friction means;

2. In a railway draftrigging, the combination with a friction element-fixed to the car and having afriction surface extending lengthwise of the rigging; of a. coupler movable in buff and draft; friction means movable lengthwise of the riggingnin unison with the coupler-shank in bothbuff and. draft; wedge. friction means interposed between said fixed friction element and the movable friction means, said wedge frictionmeans comprising co-operating wedge frictionele: ments having, wedging engagement 'witli each otherand frictional engagement with the fixed friction element and movable fricion means, one'of said wedge friction ele+ ments being forced inwardly in unison with the coupler in buff; and spring resistance means opposing inward movement of said wedge friction means.

3. In a railway draft rigging,.the combination with a fixed friction element; of a. coupler movable in both buff.- and draft; friction means movable in unison with said coupler in both buff and draft; wedge friction means interposed between said. fixed friction element and friction means, said wedge friction means including a plurality of'co-operating wedge elements havingfrictiona'l engagement with the friction element and movable friction means and: wedging' engagement with each other; spring. means opposing inward movement of-said wedge friction means; fixed abutment means limiting'outward movement of said wedge friction means; and means actuated in bud for forcing said wedge frictionmeans inwardly against the spring resistance.

. 4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a fixed friction shell held against movement in both buff and draft, said shell having interior friction surfaces extending lengthwise of the mechanism; of friction means movable inwardly of the' shell in buff and outwardly of the shell in draft; front, rear and intermediate wedge friction elements having cooperating wedge faces, certain of said elements having frictional engagement with the shell friction surfaces and movable lengthwise thereof and the remaining elements having frictional engagement with said movable friction means; means oppos ing outward movement of said front wedge elements; and spring resistancemearisop. posing inward movement of therear wedge elements, said front wedge elements being actuated and movedinwardly upon inward movementof the movable friction means.

5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, thecombination with a fixed friction member held'agamst movement in both buff and draft; of a friction member movable inwardly of the mechanism during buff and outwardly of the mechanism during draft; front,'rear and intermediate wedge blocks interposed between said fixed and movable friction members; means opposing outward movement of the front wedge blocks, said front wedge block being forced inwardly in unison with the movable friction member; and spring resistance means opposing inward movement of the rear wedge block.

6. In a railway draft rigging, the com bination with friction means fixed to the car underframe structure against movement in both buff and draft; of a coupler actuated in buff and draft; friction means movable in unison with the coupler shank, said last named and first named friction means having opposed friction surfaces inclined with reference to each other; wedge friction means, including a plurality of wedge elements having wedging engagement with the other, interposed between the opposed friction surfaces of the fixed and movable friction means; and spring resistance means opposing movement of said wedge friction means.

7. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with friction means fixed to the car underframe structure and held against movement in both buff and draft; of a coupler actuated in buff and draft; friction means movable in unison with the coupler shank, in both buff and draft, said last named and first named friction means having opposed friction surfaces converging inwardly of the mechanism; wedge friction means interposed between the opposed friction surfaces of the fixed and movable friction means; and spring resistance means opposing movement of said wedge friction means.

8. In a railway shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a fixed friction member; of a movable friction member, said members having opposed friction surfaces angularly disposed with reference to each other; front, rear and intermediate wedge blocks interposed between said friction surfaces of the fixed and movable friction members; means opposing outward movement of the front friction wedge block, said front wedge block being forced inwardly in unison with the movable friction member; and spring means opposing inward movement of the rear wedge block.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a fixed friction member held against movement in both buff and draft; of a friction member movable inwardly of the mechanism in buff and outwardly thereof in draft, said members having opposed friction surfaces converging inwardly of the mechanism; wedge friction means interposed between said converging friction surfaces, said wedge friction means including a front Wedge block; means opposing outward movement of said front.

wedge block, said front wedge block'being forced inwardly in unison with the movable friction member; and spring means opposing inward movement of said wedge friction means.

10. In a railway draft rigging,the combination with a fixed friction shell mounted on. the car structure; of a coupler having the shank thereof movable within said shell, said shank presenting longitudinally disposed friction surfaces; wedge friction means including co-operating elements having wedging engagement with each other, interposed between said friction surfaces and the fixed friction shell and having frictional engagement with the latter; abutment means on the coupler shank co-operating with said wedge means for forcing the same inwardly of the mechanism; stop means limiting outward movement of the wedge means; and a spring resistance opposing inward .move- -ment of the wedge means, including means for yieldingly resisting outward movement of the coupler.

11. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a friction shell fixed to the draft sills, said shell having top and bottom friction surfaces; of a coupler movable longitudinally of the friction shell and having theshank thereof disposed within the shell; a sleeve fixed to the coupler shank and presenting top and bottom friction surfaces opposed to the friction surfaces of the shell; Wedge friction blocks interposed between the friction surfaces of the sleeve and shell; stop means on the shell for limiting outward movement of the wedge members; abutment means on the sleeve co-operating'with the wedge members for forcing the same inwardly of the mechanism during a bufling action; a yoke having a lost motion connection with the coupler shank; spring means comprising front and rear spring elements disposed within the yoke; a follower interposed between said front and rear spring elements and cooperating with stop means on the draft sills; a rear follower disposed within the yoke and co-operating with said rear spring element; and a front follower interposed between said front spring resistance and the friction wedge members.

12. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a fixed friction member; of a movable friction member slidable inwardly of the mechanism in buff and outwardly thereof in draft; wedge friction means including a friction wedge member and a wedge block, said wedge member having alongitudinally disposed friction surface cooperating with the fixed friction member, and said wedge block having wedging engagement with the friction wedge member and friction engagement with the movable friction member; spring resistance 

